Motivation
I wanted to experience learning in a different country and with people from all over the world. I have loved my economic studies and wanted to study at one of the most famous economics schools in the world. The course itself contained many topics I was interested in, such as public policy and political economy, and was very attractive to me. It also seemed like a fun experience, to learn and travel at the same time and have new experiences.
Personal Development
I gained a lot from my experience. I made many great friends from all over the world which made my experience so much fun. I learned many new things about economics and public policy, learning from incredibly intelligent and established professors and tutors. I explored much of London and even surrounding countries, where I gained memories and experiences that I will cherish forever. The experience helped me mature, as I had to do everything myself. This gave me a sense of responsibility and confidence in myself.
Academic Development
I gained a lot from my experience. I made many great friends from all over the world which made my experience so much fun. I learned many new things about economics and public policy, learning from incredibly intelligent and established professors and tutors. I explored much of London and even surrounding countries, where I gained memories and experiences that I will cherish forever. The experience helped me mature, as I had to do everything myself. This gave me a sense of responsibility and confidence in myself.
Professional Development
Travelling overseas by myself meant I had to do a lot of planning and be responsible. There was also no one to keep me accountable or watch over me, so I had to become very self-reliant. I learned good time management skills, as I had various planes, trains, assessments, and events happening at different times. I had to become a good planner, learning to develop and execute these plans fully without assistance. I became more self-motivated and able to act under pressure. I also believe it helped further develop my communication skills, as every day I was meeting new people from all over the world and discussing economic and political issues.
Accommodation
LSE had a range of student accommodation available during the summer semester. They list all of these on their summer school website, which was very accessible and helped me form a decision. I was lucky enough to have a room at High Holborn Hall. It was a less than 10 minute walk to the LSE campus and to many other incredible London sights (less than 5 minute walk to the British Museum!). I lived in a dorm-style room, which had a single bed, sink, wardrobe, and large desk and shelving space. The hall was divided into different apartments, where 4-5 people had their private rooms and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. There was also a breakfast offered on the ground floor daily for residents. This was a great way to start the day and meet new people. It was a great place to stay in an excellent location. The only cons are minor, such as the kitchen space not having many usable induction pots and pans, and guests were not allowed after 10. I would advise future students to stay at a student residence. Accommodation during the summer in London is very expensive, and the student residences are far more cost-effective. Make sure you think about accommodation early as many of the residences can book out.
Highlight
There were many highlights. Just meeting so many incredible and intelligent people from all over the world who shared my interests was a highlight. LSE also offers social events for summer school students that I would definitely recommend to future students. My favourites were the Thames river cruise and the West End shows. I saw Phantom of the Opera on West End and it was an amazing performance.
Advice/Top Tips
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Start saving early! Travelling can get very expensive and there are likely additional costs you wouldn’t have accounted for (like excess baggage!).
- Engage with the LSE summer school students group. I met a few of my friends from there and even spoke to some before I went.
- Go to social events. They are really fun and a great way to hang out with fellow students.
- Explore your surroundings. There are plenty of cool places to visit around London. I found that the British Museum was close to my accommodation and free. Hampstead Heath and Greenwich are also a train ride away and very beautiful.
- Go to your classes and make a set of notes. You could be tested on anything in the course and assessments come around quickly. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions in class!
